Paint chips

front mask or clear bra... that's pretty much your best option.

the low profile of the hood and front end makes it a real debris magnet, unfortunately.

 

Mine, too. I just picked up the Milennium Silver touch-up paint for the Prius, to fill in some of the chips. I can't stand those covers, they look so ridiculous, but I guess they're always an option. My guess is putting a good layer of wax on top of clearcoat may also help at least a little bit. And of course, stay back from vehicles in front of you, especially larger trucks and while on gravel roads.

 

I had the dealer install the clear bra on the hood and over the side onto the fenders. I also purchased a Prius bra to protect the front end where the clear bra doesn't cover. The clear bra on the hood goes up much higher than the bra and the clear bra protects the car should any debris get under the vinyl bra between washings. Maybe overkill but I don't have one chip on the front of my car and I want to keep it that way.



Photo shows Bra.......+ there is a clear Bra that extends maybe 10 inches higher on the hood.

 

I got lucky and right after I bought my car I started reading this board. One of the threads that day was on paint chips etc.

I had an invisible bra installed on my car. I've never had one done before and it was a lot of money. But I'm glad I did. I had the bumper, half way up the hood, fenders and backs of the mirror done in 3M. Not only do I have no regrets, but I am so pleased I will have it done to future cars I own.

I haven't had tint installed yet, but I'm hoping I'll feel the same way when I do.

Both aren't just things you enjoy while you have the car, but also an investment for when you eventually sell.

 

I had the dealer add the clear vinyl bra (bumper, hood, front fenders, and mirrors) as well as window tint before I picked up my Prius. The bra was a great investment and it truly is invisible unless you're standing right next to the car. I do mostly highway driving as I live out in the country so I get TONS of bug splatters, and tiny stones hitting my front end at high speeds. The splatters all come off quite easily from the vinyl coating (as long as you don't leave them for weeks) and I have no sign of any paint chips. The vinyl coating (brand name ClearShield) also came with a lifetime guarantee from the dealer, so I feel it was money well spent.

 

I would suggest the 8 mil 3M on the car and a 15mil 3M on the headlights. There have been cases of headlights being broken by thrown rocks.

 

There are several brands on the market now.
3M StonGard, the brand I have only carries a five year warranty, but my dealer extended that to lifetime for me
As far as price, I was ready to go to a local tinting guy for the work for about $500 cdn before tax. The dealers list price was $699 but through a misquote (that they reluctantly stood by), I got it from them for about $430.
As I said before, it was money WELL spent.
Good Luck.

 

When I researched this, I believe it was the 3M product that was described as having a lifetime warranty, but they went on to say that lifetime was defined as 8 years. Their logic was that people generally keep cars on average for 5 years, therefore 8 years would be plenty. In my case at 8 years the car is just getting broken in, so I dropped the thought of using the product. Perhaps I need to recheck this.

 

Well, if it's warrantied for life (I.E. 8 years) I figure it will probably go at least 10-12. That's all I need.

I figure companies have a "cushion" on the warranty time built in.

 

OK, I went to the 3M website and found the warranty information. I must have been looking at a different product or was looking at an installers warranty when I saw 8 years. Here is what they say:

Warranty
Q. What is the Scotchgardâ„¢ Paint Protection Film warranty?
A. 3M warrants that Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film will be free of defects in materials and manufacture — including yellowing, bubbling, or cracking — or five (5) years from date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to damage caused by misuse, accident, misapplication, or ordinary wear, nor does it apply to dents caused by physical impact of rocks or road debris. Some installers may choose to offer, on their own behalf, different or additional warranties or remedies, beyond the warranty and limited remedies offered by 3M.

 

I just found the quote that I misremembered. It was at the ultrashieldusa.com website (an installer). They were talking about headlamp protection.

Q. How long will the kits last? When will I need to replace the kit?
A. The material these kits are made from is designed to last 8 years or longer. Since most people don't keep their cars for more than 4 years, in most cases there will be no need to ever replace the kit on your vehicle.

Here are their prices for the paint protection kits:
2005 - 2004
Hood, Mirrors Part #: 13769
Price: $184.00
Bumper Part #: 13770
Price: $204.00

 

A recommendation in the San Francisco Bay Area for an installer???????
Of Clear Mask Protection
Thanks

 

This isn't a recommendation, but a list from the 3M website (for San Francisco specifically).

*
Phone: 415-265-3262
Certified Installer(s): Wally Ghnaim
San Francisco, CA 94127

Zavalas Window Tints
Phone: 415-282-5444

San Francisco, CA 94124

 

I was quoted a bumper price (not protectant) by Toyota of $234. Mine was bent in at the lower right corner, and I'm not sure it can be bumped out. If that is a pre-painted part, it would seem economical to simply buy a replacement just before selling, if willing to tolerate touch-up labor and spots until then.